codfish

Horrendous first 35 minutes, passable performance until the subs then we looked more like the team sitting in third place. Delighted for LJ getting off the mark, and showing a level of performance that might stop me asking why he got an extension in the summer - had no idea he had a wicked delivery in him! Second half would’ve been cracking entertainment for a neutral - probably first time this season we’ve looked leaky at the back, but Hibs desire to pass out from their goal line played them into trouble way more than it should have. Doing that earlier in the game maybe made sense, but when trying to play out a routine 2-1 win, it was lunacy. Added to the fun mind you. On to Dens on Saturday - Baccus needs to come back in, wouldn’t be averse to one of Olusanya, Greive or Jamieson getting a start after their cameos off the bench.

We weren’t really at it tonight (save for maybe 15 mins around our goal), but a fair bit of that was down to England. In Bellingham, they’ve got a genuine superstar in the making, and having Foden and Rashford supporting Kane (and being on it) put us in the back foot. My frustration is that it was clear after 5 minutes that they were getting too much space - particularly in wide areas - and we didn’t seem to do anything about it. Then seemed to make the choice not to press in the second half when Maguire was playing keep-ball with the rest of their back 4. Plus point is the introduction of Christie and Dykes seemed to lift the performance, and as others have said, at least the reality check came in a less meaningful game.

Best Sportsound in ages today. Maybe because technical issues are keeping Pacific Quay - and Kenny Macintyre - off the air. Liam Macleod and Thomas Duncan filling in nicely, hopefully the technical issues continue!

Delighted for Olusanya - sounded like he was an absolute pain in Hanlon’s arse until he was subbed, and his goal is a great run and finish. His pace probably makes him a great option away to the city clubs, and if he shows that kind of composure in front of goal he’ll be a huge asset this season. Great to see Grieve on the scoresheet as well, two players we’d probably have shipped out on loan given half a chance delivering on day one is pleasing!

He played 90 mins tonight, would be a shame if he was ineligible.

If he does, it’ll likely take a decent fee given he signed a two year deal.

Looks like there might be a fireball in the sky tomorrow night. Will Vertidraining put the pitch at risk of catching fire?

I noticed the last time I drove through to a game that the council (I assume) had put up event parking restriction notices on the surrounding streets, but the ‘next event’ section was blank. Not sure where they expect people to park, and not sure tickets would be enforceable if the ‘next event’ space remains empty. As for the game, I have the usual feelings of dread ahead of a must-win match. Although I was convinced Livi at home was where we’d chuck it away, and we gave them a doing. Cliché, I know, but an early Saints goal would be very welcome!

Pitch scorched - too dry and hard to play on. Although I do like ‘tidal wave’ as an alternative.

Cash refunds would be an absolute minefield with no evidence of whether someone paid full price, concession or a kids price (or was a season ticket holder chancing it).

I don’t think the ref had a choice tonight - standing water on the pitch from 7.05pm and no let-up in the rain forecast. If anything I was surprised he wasn’t out inspecting the pitch sooner. Saw him chatting with Iain Brines after the postponement, then went out to take photos of the pitch at what would’ve been kick-off time.

Pitch looks a tad waterlogged…

Ultimately it’s their fault (and the media in general) that we have it. The desire to do ‘trial by Sportscene’ every single week was tedious, and all that’s happened is that the in-stadium fan has even less of a clue what’s happening. Take County’s red today - looked like potential serious foul play at the time, but VAR takes at least two minutes to review it, directs the ref to the monitor and another 90 seconds pass before a decision is made. Without VAR - and with the current editorial standards on Sportsound - they probably wouldn’t even touch on it post-match. But if it happened at Ibrox, Kenny MacIntyre would’ve combusted.

First 40 mins of today’s show: - preview Celtic v Aberdeen - interview Ange - preview Livi v Rangers - interview Mick Beale - spend 20 mins talking about VAR, adding nothing new into the mix besides some input from Dallas Was inside the ground after that, but was worried the game had been postponed along with the rest of today’s card.

With the chances we had, I don’t think there could’ve been any complaints if we’d won by 4 or 5. Still, the feeling that one mistake could cost us two points makes things more fun…. Doesn’t it? Looked really leggy in the last 10 minutes, unsurprisingly - can’t fault anyone for effort today, particularly Main and Watt. Get the feeling Tony’s trying a bit too hard, but I’m pleasantly surprised by his defensive work - one in particular today that he tracked back 40 yards and won a free kick wasn’t the Tony Watt I expected when he signed! Need to be more clinical in front of goal, but still part of the top 6 (and Europe) conversation.

Yep, fair assessment. First 25 in particular, our work rate out of possession was ridiculous - saw a couple of posts about County defenders lumping it forward, but Main, Watt and O’Hara’s pressing barely gave them an alternative. Need to put the game to bed though - seen this movie before!

My understanding is that the fee’s actually far north of what’s been quoted. Just saying. #ITK

Thought they were phenomenal in Glasgow last night! No support act, and they’ll play for 2 and a half hours (with an intermission).

The inconsistency in refereeing here is so blatant. Desperate to give anything NZ’s way. Should’ve had it out the officials hands though - 3 butchered chances within a metre.

Only had a chance to listen to 10 minutes of Open All Mics today (just before half time), and did enjoy the chat about Lewis Ferguson. Would’ve been lovely if they’d maybe saved it for a time when there wasn’t actual matches being played though. Feels like clueless pundits, hosted by a clueless host, directed by a clueless producer.

I particularly enjoyed their use of back names on the stats caption - Ross v Killie being the favourite. Looking forward to St v Hibs next week, or Hearts v John.

So we’re responsible for lumbering you with MOH for two years AND forcing a fee for Cammy Macpherson? [emoji1787]

Probably the best all-round performance I’ve seen from Isner - prime Murray probably has just enough to deal with him, but someone like Isner serving at 73% first serves in is borderline unplayable.

Hidden in amongst the images is the walk-up price for the three OF home games - first time I’ve seen us mention a matchday ticket price. At £32 for those, I can’t see us being less than £25 for a cheek-free league game.

Ultimately if it’s all about money, we might as well give them three stands and squeeze our support into the Main Stand. After all, we’d sell three stands out. There’s also the fact that the stadium was designed to allow the West Stand to be segregated - I’m very much in the ‘one stand only’ camp, but it doesn’t sit overly well with me that by using W7 for the singing section/ultras it’s become untouchable, while the Family Stand can be handed over without a second thought.